Summarize this content to 2000 words in 6 paragraphs President Donald Trump publicly locked horns with Democratic Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass after touring fire damage in Southern California on Friday.Why It MattersLos Angeles and other parts of Southern California have been devastated by a series of major fires that have burned over 50,000 acres in recent weeks, killing dozens of people, forcing hundreds of thousands of evacuations and burning down tens of thousands of homes and other structures.Trump, who began his second term on Monday, has repeatedly blamed Democratic lawmakers like Bass and California Governor Gavin Newsom for the fires, while on Friday floating the idea that he might block federal emergency aid to the state unless it adopts unrelated new voter identification laws.What To KnowAfter touring damage caused by the Palisades Fire—the first fast-moving blaze to break out amid a heavy windstorm earlier this month—Trump participated in a public emergency fire briefing on Friday alongside first lady Melania Trump, Bass and a variety of local lawmakers, officials and residents of the area.The briefing got tense after Bass brought up allowing residents to quickly rebuild from the damage after clearing “hazardous waste” from properties, prompting Trump to insist that residents were facing a delay of “18 months” to rebuild.
Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass, first lady Melania Trump and President Donald Trump are pictured at a fire briefing in Pacific Palisades, California on January 24, 2025.
Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass, first lady Melania Trump and President Donald Trump are pictured at a fire briefing in Pacific Palisades, California on January 24, 2025.
MANDEL NGAN/AFP
“That will not be the case,” Bass said after Trump claimed that residents would face an 18-month delay to rebuild. “You know first we have to make sure that [we are] getting rid of the hazardous waste, cleaning things up so that people can start right away… I want you to know that we are expediting that. We absolutely need your help, the federal help.”Trump responded to Bass by saying that he met with “at least eight groups of homeowners” who said that it would be “18 months exactly” before they were allowed to rebuild. He then questioned whether removing hazardous waste would be necessary.”You mentioned hazardous waste,” said Trump. “Well hazardous waste… what’s hazardous waste? You’re going to have to define that. We’re going to go through a whole series of questions on determining what’s hazardous waste? I just think that you have to allow people to go on their site and start the process tonight.”A short time later, Trump clashed with Bass again after she said that Los Angeles was moving “as fast as we can” to allow residents to rebuild quicker but would require debris to be cleared to be “safe.””But the people are willing to clear out their own debris,” Trump said. “It doesn’t cost a lot. You should let them do it, because by the time you hire contractors it’s gonna be two years. The people are willing to get a dumpster and do it themselves.”While Bass responded by saying that residents could clear debris themselves, Trump seemingly ignored her and argued that residents who wanted to clean their sites would be forced to “wait around” for months.”You have emergency powers just like I do,” Trump said. “I’m exercising my emergency powers. You have to exercise them also… I mean you have a very powerful emergency power, and you can do everything within 24 hours.”
U.S. President Donald Trump is seen speaking with residents as he tours a fire-affected area in the Pacific Palisades neighborhood of Los Angeles, California, on January 24, 2025. (Photo by Mandel NGAN / AFP) (Photo…
U.S. President Donald Trump is seen speaking with residents as he tours a fire-affected area in the Pacific Palisades neighborhood of Los Angeles, California, on January 24, 2025. (Photo by Mandel NGAN / AFP) (Photo by MANDEL NGAN/AFP via Getty Images)
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Bass then said that fire-stricken residents would be allowed to return to their property “within a week.””That’s a long time, a week,” Trump interjected. “I’ll be honest… everyone’s standing in front of their house, they want to go to work, and they’re not allowed to do it… a week is actually a long time, the way I look at it.”Trump also had several heated exchanges at the briefing with Democratic Congressman Brad Sherman, who represents a congressional district that includes Pacific Palisades and other areas impacted by the fires.What People Are SayingNewsom, greeting Trump upon his arrival at Los Angeles International Airport on Friday afternoon: “Thank you for being here, it means a great deal to all of us. Not just the folks in Palisades, the folks in Altadena that were devastated. We’re going to need your support, were going to need your help, you were there for us during COVID, I don’t forget that, and I have all the expectations that we will be able to work together, to get this speedy recovery.”Maria Shriver, former first lady of California, in a post to X, formerly Twitter: “The more I think about Trump’s threat to withhold aid to fire victims, California should think about making its federal taxes contingent on responsible federal action…”What Happens NextCalifornia is seeking federal emergency aid from Trump and Congress as it continues to recover from the fires, with several blazes still not fully extinguished. The Palisades fire was at 79 percent containment with an estimated 23,448 acres burned as of Friday night, according to Cal Fire.
